A FINE AND RARE CHINESE IMPERIAL 'ZITAN' STAND AND BASE, Qing Dynasty. Each with the rectangular panel top set within a wide lipped-edge frame carved along the sides with small cartouches of floral scrolls on a lattice ground, above a border of carved lotus petal lappets containing further small blossoms repeated below the waist, the curvilinear beaded apron elegantly carved with floral scrolls contained within ruyi-head shaped borders, joined to the slender angular cabriole legs ending in upturned leaf feet on ball pads, set into a rectangular platform base with a plain panel above aprons in relief repeating the ruyi-head and floral scroll design.

Dimension: 34" H x 25-1/2" L x 25-1/2" D

Lot Notes
Compare a zitan stand illustrated in the catalogue Zitan - The Most Noble Hardwood, Taipei, My Humble House Publications, 1996, pp. 142-143, which bears many similarities to the present pair of stands. This stand has an additional section between the double lotus petals around the waist, and its base is made of plain stretchers. Its proportion is also more squat, unlike the more slender appearance of the present pair. However, apart from these aspects, this stand is virtually identical to the present pair in terms of its design and decoration, and was very probably made in the same workshop. The author also notes that 'flower stand of such a refined standard is exceedingly rare'.